It’s been nearly a dozen years since actors last tread the boards at the Playhouse, but a fund-raising dinner and auction on Saturday night has brought curtain-up closer.
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More than 250 people enjoyed a two-course dinner at the Armidale Bowling Club, watched musical theatre, and bid on glider flights, drives in veteran cars, motorbike tours, artworks, and other items.
The event raised more than $15,000 for lighting, seating, sound equipment, and other fittings for the theatre.
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“We've got great community support, and I feel we're on a roll now,” organiser Dr Bruce Menzies said. “I think people are really interested; they can actually see something happening. It's going to be a great little venue!”
The Playhouse, a converted schoolroom, had hosted drama productions since 1965, but fell into disrepair.
“It’s small, shabby, and needs a real do-up,” Dr Menzies said. “It’s a pity, because it’s a beautiful building.”
For the last decade, the theatre has been used for rehearsals, meetings, and storage.
A team of people from the Playhouse Committee and the Armidale Drama & Musical Society (ADMS) – amalgamated in 2010 – sought funding to restore the building.
Retired architect Tony Deakin, from Magoffin and Deakin, designed a new theatre, pro bono. When completed, the building will seat just over 100 people – perfect for small theatre, but could also be used for meetings, chamber music concerts, and song recitals.
At present, ADMS productions are housed in TAS Hoskins Centre, which, Dr Menzies said, gives great support. The new theatre will give the company its own performing space.
The state government provided $87,000 in 2016 and $10,000 in February, which has been used for new toilets and ensuring the theatre met building regulations.
Extensive work still needs to be done, but Dr Menzies hopes to have a working theatre within the next two years.